Replaceable sleeve system for shoe

ABSTRACT

A replaceable cap sleeve system is described herein which remedies the cost of acquiring multiple pairs of footwear by providing flexibility to match apparel. The system includes a base shoe structure having only a projecting heel, an insole, an outsole, and an instep area between a toe area and heel area, a removable toe sleeve adapted to extend over at least a portion of the toe area and insole of the base shoe structure, but which is attached to the underside of the base shoe structure at a location on the outsole, and a separate, removable heel sleeve adapted to be fastened over the projecting heel of the base shoe structure. A completed shoe for wear is realized that covers toes of a wearer and supports the wearer&#39;s heel with the toe and heel sleeves installed on the base shoe structure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/440,159 to Karen E. Theisen, filed Dec. 29, 2016, pending. The entire contents of this provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND Field

The example embodiments in general are directed to a replaceable sleeve system for a shoe comprising at least a toe sleeve, with or without a heel sleeve, each adapted for connection to a base shoe structure to create a complete shoe.

Related Art

According to the National Shoe Retailers Association and the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2014 the global footwear industry had annual revenues exceeding $52 billion dollars. Women's casual and dress shoes accounted for about 30% of that market share, or over $15.6 billion dollars.

A 2010 survey conducted of 3000 women by gocompare.com and later reported in Glamour magazine indicated that the average woman will buy 469 pairs of shoes in her lifetime, spending over $25,000 or about $53 per pair, on average. The average woman has about 19 pairs of shoes at any given time.

A more recent 2013 survey of 2352 women over the age of 18 conducted by VoucherCodesPro.co.uk echoed the 2010 survey. Namely, the study found that ladies owned about 20 pairs of shoes on average, yet they only placed five (5) pairs of these shoes into their regular rotation. The top excuse for neglecting their shoes was that the shoes were too uncomfortable (64% said that the shoes were either too tight on their feet or heels too high).

However, the next largest excuse (at 55%) or reason that the women were not wearing many of their shoes, was because it was too hard to match the shoes to their outfit. Accordingly, what is desired is a shoe or system that allows a person greater flexibility in their shoe styles or designs so as to appropriately match the apparel of the person, which may also assist the person in conserving their annual outlay for footwear by purchasing fewer pairs of shoes.

SUMMARY

An example embodiment of the present invention is directed to a replaceable sleeve system adapted to complete a shoe for wear. The system includes a base shoe structure having only a projecting heel, an insole, an outsole, and an instep area between a toe area and heel area, a removable toe sleeve adapted to extend over at least a portion of the toe area and insole of the base shoe structure, but which is attached to the underside of the base shoe structure at a location on the outsole, and a separate, removable heel sleeve adapted to be fastened over the projecting heel of the base shoe structure. A completed shoe for wear is realized that covers toes of a wearer and supports the wearer's heel with the toe and heel sleeves installed on the base shoe structure.

Another example embodiment is directed to a replaceable sleeve system adapted to complete a shoe for wear, where the system includes a base shoe structure having a projecting heel, an insole, an outsole, and an instep area between a toe area and heel area, the base shoe structure having a first connector attached thereto on an underside thereof. The system also includes a removable toe sleeve adapted to extend over at least a portion of the toe area and insole of the base shoe structure, the toe sleeve having a second connector attached thereto, the first connector on the underside of the base shoe structure adapted to receive the second connector therein to secure the toe sleeve to the base shoe structure, and a separate, removable heel sleeve attached over the projecting heel of the base shoe structure by a friction fit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are represented by like reference numerals, which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of the example embodiments herein.

FIG. 1 is a right-side perspective view of sleeve system in a disassembled state that is adapted for building a shoe according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the system FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of only the male and female connectors to illustrate connective engagement between the connectors in more detail.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the male connector of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a front plan view of the male connector of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a right-side elevational view of the male connector of FIG. 3, the left-side elevational view being a mirror image thereof.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the female connector of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a front plan view of the female connector of FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a left-side elevational view of the female connector of FIG. 3, the right-side elevational view being a mirror image thereof.

FIG. 10 is a digital photograph of a prototype system showing the toe sleeve and base shoe structure of the assembly disassembles, so as to see the male and female connectors in better detail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various example embodiments of the disclosure. However, one skilled in the art will understand that the disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures associated with manufacturing techniques have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the descriptions of the example embodiments of the present disclosure.

Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims that follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as “comprises” and “comprising,” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is, as “including, but not limited to.”

Reference throughout this specification to “one example embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one example embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more example embodiments.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

As used in the specification and appended claims, the terms “correspond,” “corresponds,” and “corresponding” are intended to describe a ratio of or a similarity between referenced objects. The use of “correspond” or one of its forms should not be construed to mean the exact shape or size. In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements or acts. The size and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

As used in the specification and appended claims, the terms “sleeve,” “is understood as a single or double open-ended protective covering or tube fitting over or enclosing a portion of foot apparel. A sleeve may be understood alternatively and/or occasionally be referred to herein as any of a sheath, case, covering, jacket, shell or skin.

The example embodiments to be described in more detail below are directed to a removable or interchangeable sleeve system that includes, in one example, a base shoe structure, with a toe sleeve and a heel sleeve adapted for connection to the base shoe structure such as high-heeled women's shoes to complete assembly thereof. In accordance with the example embodiments, the toe and heel sleeve is capable of being changed as desired without affecting the base shoe structure, thereby affording a means whereby the appearance of a shoe can be altered, as desired.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 10, there is shown a sleeve system 100 adapted for building a shoe according to an example embodiment. System 100 include a base shoe structure 110, a toe sleeve 120 and a heel sleeve 130. An upper rear end of the toe sleeve 110 include a male connector 140. A female connector 150 is connected to the outsole 118 on the underside of the base shoe structure 110 and located at an upper end of the instep area 119. The female connector 150 is designed to receive the male connector 140 therein so as to secure the toe sleeve 120, over the toe cap 111 and toe area 112 of the base shoe structure 110, to the outsole 118 thereof.

Once secured, the toe sleeve 120 provides a throat or opening 123 that permits insertion of the toes, which are covered by the vamp 121 of the toe sleeve 120. Although not shown in the drawings, at least part of the material that makes up the vamp 121 may be configured as an elastic portion to allow for give or flexibility in the width of the toe sleeve 120, i.e., for comfort so that the toe cap 111 on the base shoe structure does not pinch the toes. Once attached, the outsole 122 of the toe sleeve 120 partially covers the outsole 118 of the base shoe structure 110 and becomes the ground contacting surface subjected to weight bearing forces of the wearer, along with the heel tip of the heel sleeve 130. The material of the toe sleeve 120 may be formed of any type of covering or material formed of plastics, leather, textile fabrics, or other suitable materials.

The base shoe structure 110 on its top surface has only an insole 113 with a toe area 112 and a heel area 114 thereon, it includes no vamp or toe area material whatsoever to secure toes of a wearer therein. This is provided only by the toe sleeve 120. The base shoe structure 110 also has an outsole 118 which arches through the instep area 119 up to where it meets a heel breast 117 of a projecting heel 115 provided between a heel tip 116 and the heel breast 117. However, the base shoe structure 110 includes no quarter or counter to secure a wearer's heel therein. This is provided by the attachable heel sleeve 130.

The heel sleeve 130 include a hollow projecting heel 131 formed into a quarter 132 and a counter 133. The quarter 132 comprises the upper rear and rear sides of the heel sleeve 130 that covers the heel of the wearer. The counter 133 offers stiffening while maintaining shape for the heel sleeve 130. Heel sleeve 130 also includes an ankle strap 135. To install the heel sleeve 130 on the base shoe structure, the heel tip 116 of projecting heel 115 is inserted into the opening 134 of the heel sleeve 130 until it is seated completely within the hollow projecting heel, so that the quarter 132 covers the outside surface of the heel breast 117 and the counter 133 with strap 135 extends upward at the rear of heel area 114. The heel sleeve 130 is held onto the base shoe structure 110 by friction created in the opening 134 between the heel 115 of the base shoe structure 110, and the hollow projecting heel 131 of the hell sleeve 130, a “friction fit”. Also, the securing of the ankle strap 135 around the ankle of the wearer provides additional means of holding the heel sleeve 130 onto the base shoe structure 110. In an example, the hollow projecting heel 131 of heel sleeve 130 may be form-fitted to the shape of the projecting heel 115.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a solid heel tip 136, which may be formed of a metal such as steel or a hard plastic, is attached to the bottom of the heel sleeve 130. Namely, this small heel tip 136 is generally cylindrically shaped and has the same outside diameter as that of the heel sleeve 130, and is attached to the bottom of hollow projecting heel 131 by suitable fasteners, adhesives, and the like. A rod 137 extends from a top surface of the heel tip 136 within the interior of the hollow projecting heel 131. As the heel sleeve 130 is pulled up over the projecting heel 115 of the base shoe 110, rod 137 is received in a bore 138 that is formed in the underside of the heel tip 116 of the base shoe 110, as best shown in FIG. 2. This secures the heel tip 136 to the heel of the base shoe structure 110. Heel tip 136 is provided so as to contact the ground and transmit the weight or load of the wearer to the inner, structural projecting heel 115 of the base shoe structure 110

In the example shown, the projecting heel 115 and hollow heel 131 of the heel sleeve 130 are shown embodied as a thin, elongate heel or “stiletto” styled heel. However, it should be understood that both the heel 115 of the base shoe structure 110 and the heel 131 of the heel sleeve 130 could be arranged in any shape or dimension. Components of the base shoe structure 110, the toe sleeve 120, and heel sleeve 130, like most men's and women's dress shoes, may be made of leather, usually entirely, including the uppers/outers, lining, and sole, though for more durability at the expense of elegance, many shoes are made with rubber soles. One or more of the base shoe structure 110, the toe sleeve 120, and heel sleeve 130 may also be fabricated from non-leather materials (plastic, synthetic leather). Typical raw materials include plastic, leather, wood, fabric, animal hides or combinations thereof, paper (for patterns and labels), and various cements and glues, depending on the component materials. Fasteners such as nails, screw nails, and tacks are typically used to hold the fabric or leather in place and to attach the projecting heel 115 to the shank of base shoe structure 100.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-9, the male connector 140, female connector 150, and the engagement therebetween to connect the toe sleeve 120 to the base shoe structure 110 is described in further detail. The male connector 140 includes an L-shaped flange 141 having a flange extension surface 142 (forming a horizontal part of the L-shape) that connects or is otherwise attached to via any type of fastener, adhesive, sewn stitch, and the like to toe sleeve 120. The flange extension surface 142 can be attached to an inner surface 124 of the toe sleeve at an upper rear end 125 thereof, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, to the outsole 122 at an upper rear end 125 s shown in FIG. 10, or to both surfaces. A wall 143 of the flange 141 that is perpendicular to flange extension 142 is connected to a flexible arm 144 extending rearward of the toe sleeve 110. The flexible arm terminates in a disc-shaped snap connector 145 that is to be received by female connector 150. The snap connector 145 includes a circumferential vertical wall 146 and has a bottom surface 147, which may be flat or beveled.

The female connector 150 includes an L-shaped flange 151 having a flange wall 152 (forming a vertical part of the L-shape) that includes a central opening or slot 156 at the front of female connector 150 therein that is to receive the snap connector 145 and flexible arm 144 therethrough. A rearward facing flange 153 is integral with and forms part of the connector body 154. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 10, the “top” surface of the flange 153 and connector body 154 is attached, via any type of fastener, adhesive, sewn stitch, and the like, so as to be substantially flush up against the underside of the base shoe structure 110 on outsole 118. Namely, female connector 150 is attached or otherwise integral with outsole 118 at a location that is the upper end of the instep area 119 to where it meets the heel breast 117 of heel 115.

The slot 156 opens up into an elongate channel 155 formed in the interior of connector body 154 to permit lateral travel of the flexible arm 144 with snap connector 145 of the male connector 140 therethrough. The snap connector 145 is received through the channel and flex engages a generally circular recess 157 with vertical sidewalls 158 formed in the connector body 154. As the flexible arm 144 flexes to snap fit the snap connector 145 in place in recess 157, the vertical side walls 146 of the snap connector 146 engage and form an interference fit with the sidewalls 158 of the recess 157, such that a portion of the bottom surface 147 of snap connector 145 extends through the recess 157 and is accessible on the outside of female connector 150. Accordingly, the engagement is a snap-in connection and the male connector 140 can be removed simply by pressing bottom surface 147 up into recess 157 so as to be able to remove male connector 140 from the channel 155 and slot 156 of female connector 150.

Although the male/female connector arrangement has been described for connecting the toe sleeve 120, and a friction-fit arrangement has been described to attach the heel sleeve 130, these are merely exemplary; there are various means of fastening the sleeves 120, 130 to the base shoe structure 110 to arrive at the system 100. In one alternative, fasteners such as hook-and-loop fasteners (i.e., Velcro) may be used to secure the toe sleeve 120 and heel sleeve 130 to the base shoe structure 110. To facilitate friction-based securement, additional elastic material may be employed in the heel sleeve 130.

In a further variant, the fastening means may be magnetic, such as the use of one or more magnets embedded in the materials of the base shoe structure 110, toe sleeve 120, and heel sleeve 130. Exemplary magnets may include any of Neodymium magnets, Samarium cobalt (SmCo) magnets, also known as rare earth magnets, Alnico magnets, which are largely comprised of aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni), and cobalt (Co), aluminum and other trace amounts of elements such as copper (Cu) and titanium (Ti) to tailor the alloy's magnetic and mechanical properties. In an example such magnets could exhibit a pull force in a range of between about 1.6 to 4.9 pounds. In yet a further example construction, system 100 may be configured with one or more magnets exhibiting a pull force in a range of between about 2.0 to 3.0 pounds.

The example sleeve system 100 may substantially reduce the number of pairs of footwear a person buys annually. Women may often buy many pairs of high heeled shoes, ostensibly due to the damage, such as scuff marks, incurred on the toe and/or heel, simply due to normal wear. The sleeves 120, 130 of system 100 eliminate this issue as the sleeves 120, 130 are easily replaceable, thereby lengthening the life span of the base shoe structure 110.

The present invention, in its various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes components, systems and/or apparatuses substantially as depicted and described herein, including various embodiments, sub-combinations, and subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the present invention after understanding the present disclosure. The present invention, in its various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes providing devices in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various embodiments, configurations, or aspects hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and\or reducing cost of implementation.

The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description for example, various features of the invention are grouped together in one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the embodiments, configurations, or aspects of the invention may be combined in alternate embodiments, configurations, or aspects other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment, configuration, or aspect. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the invention.

Moreover, though the description of the invention has included description of one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the invention, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments, configurations, or aspects to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter. 

We claim:
 1. A replaceable sleeve system adapted to complete a shoe for wear, comprising: a base shoe structure having only a projecting heel, an insole, an outsole, and an instep area between a toe area and heel area, a removable toe sleeve adapted to extend over at least a portion of the toe area and insole of the base shoe structure, but which is attached to the underside of the base shoe structure at a location on the outsole, and a separate, removable heel sleeve adapted to be fastened over the projecting heel of the base shoe structure, wherein a completed shoe for wear is realized that covers toes of a wearer and supports the wearer's heel with the toe and heel sleeves installed on the base shoe structure.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the toe sleeve further includes: a material vamp structure form-fitted to the toe area, and a throat formed within the vamp for receiving the toes of a wearer therein, and a connector element attached to the toe sleeve for securing the toe sleeve.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the toe sleeve further includes an inner surface that contacts a portion of the outsole with the toe sleeve attached to the base shoe structure
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the heel sleeve is friction held to the projecting heel of the base shoe structure.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the heel sleeve includes a quarter that forms the upper rear and rear sides of the completed shoe to support the heel of the wearer.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the heel sleeve includes a counter which provides stiffening while maintaining shape of the heel sleeve on the completed shoe.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the heel sleeve includes an ankle strap to assist securing the heel sleeve to the base shoe structure and wearer of the completed shoe.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the heel sleeve further includes a hollow projecting heel adapted to receive the projecting heel of the base shoe structure therein, the hollow projecting heel form-fitted to the projecting heel of the base shoe structure.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the heel sleeve further includes a heel tip connected to the bottom of the hollow projecting heel, the heel tip including a rod element that extends upward within the hollow projecting heel to engage a bore formed in the underside of the projecting heel of the base shoe structure as the projecting heel of the base shoe structure is inserted into an opening in the heel sleeve.
 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a male connector affixed to a portion of the toe sleeve, a female connector affixed to the outsole above the instep area where the outsole meets the projecting heel of the base shoe structure, the female connector having a slot which receives the male connector therein to secure the toe sleeve to the base shoe structure.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the male connector further includes: a flange extension surface connected to an inner surface of the toe sleeve at an upper rear end thereof, a wall perpendicular to the flange extension and connected to a flexible arm extending rearward of the toe sleeve, the flexible arm terminating in a disc-shaped snap connector that is to be received in the female connector.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the female connector further includes: a connector body, a vertical wall attached to the connector body and forming a front of the female connector, a slot provided therein that is to receive the snap connector and flexible arm therethrough, the slot opening up into a channel formed in the interior of the connector body to permit lateral travel of the flexible arm with snap connector, and a generally circular recess formed in the connector body, the recess and snap connector engaging in a snap-fit relation to secure the toe sleeve to the base shoe structure.
 13. A replaceable sleeve system adapted to complete a shoe for wear, comprising: a base shoe structure having a projecting heel, an insole, an outsole, and an instep area between a toe area and heel area, the base shoe structure having a first connector attached thereto on an underside thereof, a removable toe sleeve adapted to extend over at least a portion of the toe area and insole of the base shoe structure, the toe sleeve having a second connector attached thereto, the first connector on the underside of the base shoe structure adapted to receive the second connector therein to secure the toe sleeve to the base shoe structure, and a separate, removable heel sleeve attached over the projecting heel of the base shoe structure by a friction fit.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the second connector further includes: a flange extension surface connected to an inner surface of the toe sleeve at an upper rear end thereof, a wall perpendicular to the flange extension and connected to a flexible arm extending rearward of the toe sleeve, the flexible arm terminating in a disc-shaped snap connector that is to be received in the first connector.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first connector further includes: a connector body, a vertical wall attached to the connector body and forming a front of the first connector, a slot provided therein that is to receive the snap connector and flexible arm of the second connector therethrough, the slot opening up into a channel formed in the interior of the connector body to permit lateral travel of the flexible arm with snap connector, and a generally circular recess formed in the connector body, the recess and snap connector engaging in a snap-fit relation to secure the toe sleeve to the base shoe structure.
 16. The system of claim 13, wherein the heel sleeve includes an ankle strap to assist securing the heel sleeve to the base shoe structure and wearer of the completed shoe.
 17. The system of claim 13, wherein the heel sleeve further includes: a hollow projecting heel adapted to receive the projecting heel of the base shoe structure therein, and a heel tip connected to the bottom of the hollow projecting heel, the heel tip including a rod element that extends upward within the hollow projecting heel to engage a bore formed in the underside of the projecting heel of the base shoe structure as the projecting heel of the base shoe structure is inserted into an opening in the heel sleeve.
 18. The system of claim 13, wherein a completed shoe for wear is realized that covers toes of a wearer and supports the wearer's heel with the toe and heel sleeves installed on the base shoe structure. 